Valve-indicator



(N0 Model.)

J. T. CHRISTIE.

VALVE INDIGATOR.

No. 580,252. Patented pr. 6, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. CHRISTIE, OF TROY, NEYV YORK.

VALVE-INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 580,252, dated April 6, 1897.

Application filed January 21, 1896. Serial No. 576,265. (No model.)

To (all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN T. CHRISTIE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Troy, county of Rensselaer, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valve-Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to such improvements; and it consists of the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and subsequently claimed.

Reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, and the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in the several figures.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a view in elevation of my improved valve-indicator. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, taken on the broken line 2 2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is horizontal section of the same, taken on the broken line 3 3 in Fig. 1.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, durable, and efficient mechanism for indicating the condition of a valve at any time whether wholly or partly open or closed.

My invention is especially adapted for use in connection with a valve wherein the valve-' gate is operated by a stem-nut which travels up and down upon a screw-threaded stem or spindle, in which construction the stem or spindle has a rotary but no longitudinal movement.

A represents a rotary spindle, and A an inclosin g case provided with bearings for the spindle. The spindle projects through the top of the case, and its projecting end A is adapted to receive operating mechanism as a wrench or hand-wheel in the usual manner.

The case may be a portion of the valvecase when desired, and the spindle the valvestem or an extension thereof, by means of which the valve is operated.

On two opposite sides of the caseIprovide exterior circular plane surfaces A on which appear graphic indications or marks, as the words Open and Shut. I arrange the words Open and Shut upon each of such surfaces, the word Open being arranged on a curved line along the upper edge of the circular space, and the word Shut diametricto be used with valves of different sizes.

ally opposite on a curved line along the lower edge thereof. Contiguous to each of these indicating-surfaces I pivot a thin indicatorplate B by means of a stud B, passing through the case-wall at the center of the circular space.

The plate is shown circularin form and provided with an aperture or slot B so formed therein that when the solid portion of the plate isin aposition to cover and conceal from View one of the indicating-words the other of such words will be exposed to view through the slot in the plate. By imparting to such plate rotary movements back and forth through an arc of one hundred and eighty degrees the words Open and Shut will be alternately exposed to view. It will thus be seen that if suitable operating connections are provided between the valve-operating mechanism and the rotaryindicator-plate the plate can be so moved automatically as to expose the word Open when the valve is open and the word Shut when the valve is closed.

As a means for operating the plate or plates I provide a cross-shaft O within the case, having end bearings in the case-wall and provided with a worm-gear O, engageable with a spiral thread or worm C on the inclosed spindle. The cross-shaft is also provided near its ends with gears C C fixed thereon in position to mesh, respectively, with gears C C on the inner ends of the several studs B, to which the rotary indicator-plates are respectively fixed. The gear connections are thus located wholly within and concealed and protected by the inclosing case.

As the stem or spindle A, which forms a part of or is connected with the valve-stem, is rotated in the operation of opening and closing the valve rotary movements are imparted to the indicator-plates through the intermediate gears to expose the words Open and Shut alternately.

To impart to a valve-gate its full movement requires a given number of complete rotations of the stem, which number varies in valves of different sizes.

I have shown no valve, and the case and spindle shown in the drawings are adapted In so using my indicator I compensate for the variation in the number of stem rotations necessary to operate the valve by varying the relative sizes of the gears O and C, so that the number of stem rotations necessary to operate the valve will impartthe desired rotary movement to the indicator-plates, which movement is the same without regard to the size of the valve.

The indicator plate and indications or marks are inclosed and protected by the transparent glass G, which may be omitted when desired.

By the use of the glass cover the recess within which the indicator-plate is confined is kept free from dirt and moisture.

Only one indicator-plate and indicationmark are essential to the operation of my invention, but for convenience of observation the mechanism can be duplicated on opposite sides of the case, the cross-shaft and worm-gearing forming a common means for operating both plates.

Any desired graphic indication or mark 'may be substituted for therwords Open and Shut and the form, location, and arrangement of the indication varied as ,desired.

I have shown the indicator-plate provided with a small aperture B in its rim, adapted to expose to view successively, as the plate rotates, figures or characters located on the case-to indicate the approximate position of the valve-gate intermediately of its open and closed positions. When such characters are omitted, the rim portion of the plate on the outer side of the slot B may be dispensed with, leaving the plate approximately semicircular in form, which is sufficient to enable it to perform its function as a shield for the words Open and Shut alternately.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a valve-indicator, the combination with a rotary, valve-operating spindle, and a tight inclosing case, of an indicator-plate rotatively mounted upon the exterior of the case, and operating connections between the rotary spindle and plate extending directly through and fitting an aperture in the case-wall, substantially as described.

2. In a valve-indicator, the combination with a valve-operating spindle, and an in'closing case having an indication-mark fixed upon its outer side, of a shield rotatively mounted upon the exterior of the case and movable to and from said mark, and operating connections between said shield and the inclosed spindle, substantially as described.

3. In a valve -indicator, the combination with a rotary valve-operating spindle, and an inclosing case having exteriorly-located fixed graphic indications, of a shield rotatively mounted upon the exterior of the case and movable back and forth from one to the other of said indications, and an operating connection between the shield and spindle passing directly through the case-wall, substantially as described.

4. In an indicator, the combination with a rotary spindle, and an inclosing case, of a cross-shaft having bearings in the case-walls, a worm-gear connection between the spindle and shaft, a pair of rotary indicator-plates exteriorly mounted upon opposite sides of the case, and having each a stud projecting interiorly of the case, and gear connections between the shaft and the respective studs, within the case, substantially as described.

5. In an indicator, the combination with 8, rotary spindle, and an inclosing case, of a. cross-shaft having bearings in the case-walls, a worm-gear connection between the spindle and shaft, a rotary indicator-plate mounted upon the outside of the case and having a stud projecting interiorly of the case, and gear connections between the shaft and stud within the case, substantially as described.

6. In an indicator, the combination with a rotary spindle and an inclosing case therefor, having a recess in its outer surface and an aperture through the case at the center of the recess, of an indicator-plate located in the re cess, a stud fixed to the plate and inserted through, and fitting, the central aperture, operating connections within the case between said stud and spindle, and a transparent cover secured over the recess, whereby the indicator-plate is confined within atight inclosure, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of January, 1896;

JOHN T. CHRISTIE.

Witnesses:

FRANK O. CURTIS, GEO. H. CURTIS. 

